The Ministry of Mines and Energy gave an update on five planned power plants with a capacity of 1,905 megawatts (mW) under construction to meet the growing energy demand in Cambodia.

Victor Jona, the director-general of the ministry’s General Department of Energy, said Cambodian Tatay Hydropower Ltd is building a 150 mW hydropower plant in Koh Kong that will be connected to the grid by 2023.

The 80 mW Stung Pursat 1 hydropower project being developed by South Korea-based SPHP (Cambodia) Co Ltd is slated to finish construction and be connected to the national grid in 2026.

The 700 mW plant being constructed by China Huadian Corp Ltd in Sihanoukville is expected to connect 350 mW to the national grid in 2022 and the remaining 350 mW by 2023.

The Royal Group is constructing a 700 mW power plant in Botum Sakor in Koh Kong and will connect 350 mW to the national grid in 2024 and the remaining 350 mW in 2025.

Jona said that in addition to these projects, two solar projects are also under way: a 60 mW project in Kampong Chnnang province being funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and constructed by Prime Road Power. That project is slated to be completed in 2022. A 20 mW project, being developed by Green Sustainable Ventures in Svay Rieng province is expected to be completed this October.

Jona added that a domestic coal-powered plant with a capacity of 265 mW is being constructed in Oddar Meanchey province and that it will be added to the national grid in two phases in 2022 and 2023.

Jona said energy security is a top priority that will help spur growth in the economy. He added renewable energy will continue to play an increasing role in domestic energy supply as well. Minister of Mines and Energy Suy Sem said Cambodia’s current electric capacity stands at 3,000 mW.

• Tags: energy, power plants